I’m Speaking at RootsTech 2026! Join Me in Salt Lake City

It’s official. I am headed to Salt Lake City for RootsTech 2026, and this year I’m not just attending. I’ll be presenting two sessions at the world’s largest family history conference, and I could not be more excited to share them with you.

RootsTech 2026 runs from Thursday, 5 March through Saturday, 7 March at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, with free virtual attendance available worldwide. This year’s theme is “Together,” which feels especially fitting. As genealogists, everything we do, from the records we uncover to the stories we preserve, connects us to the people who came before and the communities we build around our shared passion for family history. FamilySearch, the conference host, has described the theme as a celebration of fifteen years of bringing people together to “learn, share and make life-changing family discoveries and meaningful connections.”

My Sessions

Session 1: Lineage Societies — History, Application Process, and Research Strategies for Success

When: Friday, 6 March 2026 at 5:00 PM

Have you ever wanted to join a lineage society but felt overwhelmed by the application process? You are not alone. In this session, I will walk you through the history of how lineage societies evolved in the United States and, more importantly, give you practical strategies for submitting successful applications. We will cover how to select the right society for your research goals, the difference between direct and collateral lineage requirements, how to organize your documentation effectively, and how to dovetail into existing applications. I will also share tips for working with local chapters and flag the most common pitfalls I see researchers stumble into. Whether you want to honor an ancestor’s service, prove a long-held family story, or simply deepen your research skills, this session will give you the confidence to tackle the process head-on.

Session 2: Collecting Family Stories — Essential Oral History Techniques for Successful Documentation

When: Saturday, 7 March 2026 at 3:30 PM

Every family has stories that live only in the memories of living relatives, and every day we risk losing them. This session is all about practical, proven oral history methods for capturing those stories before it is too late. I will cover equipment options for every budget (you do not need a professional recording studio!), interview preparation and effective questioning techniques, and the ethical considerations that come with sensitive family topics. Whether you are brand new to oral history or a seasoned researcher looking to refine your approach, you will leave with skills you can put into practice immediately.

About RootsTech 2026

If you have never attended RootsTech, here is the short version: it is the largest genealogy conference in the world, with hundreds of classes for every skill level, a massive expo hall full of the latest tools and resources, and keynote speakers who bring family history to life in unforgettable ways.

This year’s in-person keynote lineup features Marlee Matlin (Academy Award-winning actress) on Thursday, Tara Roberts (National Geographic explorer and historian) on Friday, and Steve Young (NFL Hall of Famer and Super Bowl MVP) on Saturday. Virtual keynotes, available on demand starting 13 February, include the Gardiner Brothers (Irish dancers), Jessica Soho (Filipina broadcast journalist), José Hernández (NASA astronaut), and Zico (Brazilian football legend). It is quite the roster.

How to Register

Registration is open now at RootsTech.org. In-person passes are $79 for a single day or $129 for all three days. Virtual attendance is completely free, you just need to register to unlock access to the livestreamed and on-demand sessions. Saturday, 7 March is also Family Discovery Day, a free in-person event packed with family-friendly activities, storytelling, and cultural performances.

I would love to see you there, whether in the hallways of the Salt Palace or joining virtually from wherever you are in the world. If you spot me between sessions, come say hello! And if you are planning to attend either of my talks, drop me a comment below or send me a message so I can look out for you.

Stay tuned, in my next post, I’ll be sharing a sneak peek at the research behind both of my sessions and why these topics are ones I am especially passionate about.

Citations

“FamilySearch Announces RootsTech 2026 Keynotes and Class Scheduling,” FamilySearch Newsroom, 5 January 2026 (https://www.familysearch.org/en/newsroom/familysearch-announces-rootstech-2026-keynotes-and-class-scheduling : accessed 8 February 2026).

“RootsTech Invites Participants to Come ‘Together’ at 2026 Worldwide Event,” Church of Jesus Christ Newsroom, 17 December 2025 (https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/rootstech-invites-participants-to-come-together-at-2026-worldwide-event : accessed 8 February 2026).

“Registration Now Open for RootsTech 2026,” Church of Jesus Christ Newsroom, 24 September 2025 (https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/registration-now-open-for-rootstech-2026 : accessed 8 February 2026).